Overview
Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” raised alarms in a CNN interview about a plan attributed to Donald Trump to significantly cut NASA’s budget, warning such reductions could slow innovation, weaken U.S. leadership in space, and undercut critical science.
Background
NASA funding underpins crewed spaceflight, Earth and climate observations, planetary science, technology development, and partnerships with the commercial space sector. Budget priorities for NASA typically shift between administrations, but major changes still require congressional approval.
What happened
In a CNN segment, Kaitlan Collins asked Bill Nye about reported plans to enact massive NASA cuts. Nye cautioned that reducing NASA’s budget could have far-reaching consequences, potentially stalling research, disrupting ongoing missions, and affecting jobs and STEM education pipelines supported by the agency’s work.
Reasons
Supporters of cuts generally argue for lowering federal spending or redirecting funds to other priorities. Critics contend that NASA’s relatively small share of the federal budget delivers outsized returns in technology, workforce development, and U.S. competitiveness, and that slashing funding risks ceding ground to global rivals.
What experts says
Nye emphasized that NASA’s programs drive innovation, inspire students, and support U.S. industry through research and public–private partnerships. Space policy experts have long noted that stable, predictable funding is essential for multiyear missions and for maintaining momentum in areas like lunar exploration, climate monitoring, and advanced technologies.
What to expect
Any proposed cuts would face congressional scrutiny and negotiation through the federal appropriations process. Lawmakers are likely to seek details on specific program impacts, with debate centering on national priorities, economic implications, and the strategic value of maintaining U.S. leadership in space and science. Viewers should expect ongoing analysis as more budget specifics emerge.
Source: CNN YouTube video — Bill Nye sounds alarm on Trump plan to cut NASA funding (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cUQgwhigFso)